State lays out initiatives to benefit veterans

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan is rolling out new initiatives aimed at bringing military veterans closer to the services the state offers.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced Wednesday initiatives designed to benefit the more than 650,000 military veterans living in Michigan. The proposals include a recently introduced bill that would put a special designation for veterans on driver's licenses and identification cards.

Johnson said the designation will allow veterans to receive military discounts at hotels and stores. She said it will also allow county veterans service officers to reach out to veterans about services to ensure they can "take advantage of the benefits they earned."

Johnson also laid out plans to design a special license plate to raise money to fund veterans' programs in Michigan.